Water project could be postponed until 2023

By CHARITY SMITH

[email protected]

Wakefield — A water project the city of Wakefield hoped to start this year may have to be postponed until 2023 as a result of some delays that will cause the project to go out for bid in late May or June, according to city manager Rob Brown.

Brown said that he is not sure the city will be able to find a company to bid on the project with a reasonable offer so late in the season.

The city obtained funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Division for $2.925 million project and is working with U.P. Engineers and Architects Inc. of Ishpeming to address deficiencies within the city’s water system. The deficiencies have been identified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The project will replace approximately 2.5 miles of 6-inch water main with an age of approximately 70 years. The water mains are located at: Plymouth Water Tower down Old U.S. 2 ending at Sunday Lake Street, the intersection of U.S. 2 and Sunday Lake Street South to Olson, the intersection of U.S. 2 and Sunday Lake North to the U.S. 2/M-28 intersection, and at Johnson Road south to M-28 terminating east of Hopkins.

The project is in the first of many phases through the USDA-Rural Development’s Water-Sewer Program, according to Matt Treado, project coordinator with U.P. Engineers and Architects.

“Each phase is designed to maximize the value of the funding program to create the most cost effective system improvements for the city of Wakefield water customers,” Treado said.

The second phase of the project is also in the works, Treado said. He said the second phase will be done in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation in 2026.

“By working in tandem with MDOT, the city of Wakefield will be able to remove and replace the water infrastructure in the MDOT corridor at the lowest possible cost to the city,” Treado said. “This approach of utilizing multiple sources of funding, performing complete street replacement and using strong long-term projections and planning, UPEA and the city of Wakefield will be able to provide cost effective water to the service population.”

According to Treado, the first water supply system in Wakefield was constructed in 1889 but was moved to the present location in 1920 because the water in the original location became unsatisfactory for potable use. He said most of the current distribution system has been in use for more than 70 years. However, there is one section made of ductile iron that was installed in 1999 that is in good condition.

He said the treatment facility is in acceptable condition as the groundwater is of good quality and requires little treatment.

The Wakefield distribution system contains about 171,793 feet of pipe with diameters varying from 1/2 inch to 12 inches. The pipe material is primarily 4-inch and 6-inch cast iron pipe that was installed in the mid 1900s, according to a report.

“With the proposed replacement of old deteriorated mains and service lines the reliability of the water distribution system will be enhanced and should lower the level of maintenance and emergency repair required by the existing system,” Treado said in a report. “Saving money currently spent on repair of these mains will allow the township to continue maintenance in other areas and make improvements to the system.”